On Saturday September 17th the NYC Department of Sanitation held a Queens SAFE Disposal Event at the parking lot of Astoria Park.

SAFE is an acronym which stand for “Solvents, Automotive, Flammable, Electronics”.

The purpose is to collect electronic trash which is illegal to throw out through street trash removal in New York City.

I had been storing old computers for over a year, hoping an event like this would occur in the neighborhood so when I heard about the special trash day I made a plan to cart my old electronic gear over there to ditch it.

Not far from Astoria Park, I carted my old mac and monitor over in a manhattan-style shopping cart. I was surprised when I got there to find police directing traffic at Astoria Park south and 21st. St., a block away.

There was a traffic jam of cars lined up waiting to circle through and unload their electronic waste.

I rolled in to the receiving area for walk-ins and hand over my gear. After an opportunity for a photo with the trashies I walk over to see the bigger operation.

NYC Sanitation Representatives were out to answer questions.It’s a dirty job. I got an opportunity to meet the Trashies.

Cars were circling through the parking lot which was full of garbage that was already collected. Big semi trucks were lined up to haul it away.
I spoke to representatives at the event. They said they will hold a similar event next year.

I think that the city needs to hold these events more often. There is obviously a need and a desire by people to do the right thing and dispose toxic electronic gear properly.

The collection area for NYC SAFE disposal in Astoria Park parking lot.Large electronics collected at NYC SAFE Disposal.Trucks and trash lined up for disposal in Astoria Park.Boxes and boxes of electronic gear on loading pallets.